Success In College Guide - Mapping Your Future
Success in College GuideSince college is an investment of time and money, you don't want to waste either one by failingto graduate. You CAN be a successful college student.Learn how to make the most of college by following these steps:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.Develop a college plan.Identify your goals and priorities.Prepare academically for college.Prepare financially for college.Manage your time.Practice good money management.Ask for advice, and see your academic advisor.Get around roadblocks.Enjoy the college experience!Don't forget to explore careers (mappingyourfuture.org/PlanYourCareer/), prepare for college(mappingyourfuture.org/CollegePrep/), and determine how you'll pay for college(mappingyourfuture.org/Paying/).Develop a college planA plan for your education may seem unnecessary. You will just go to school and get aneducation, right?Well, it could work out okay that way, but you may end up with a college degree that doesn’t fityour interests or skills. By developing an education plan or a plan for college, you are gettingyour dreams down on paper, and that is the first step in accomplishing your life goals.Some of the items to include in an educational plan are: A mission statement. What do you want to achieve ultimately? It might be a good ideato review your goals and priorities.A personal inventory. What do you do best? Determine your talents and skills and seehow that matches up with your mission. This is also a great list to include in scholarshipapplications.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 1 of 11
The results of any research you’ve done into the possible career fields that match yourinterest. What is the long-term outlook for the possible jobs in your career field? Whatare the requirements for the various careers?A calendar of important dates. If you are in high school, include the important dates foryour junior or senior years.A list of potential schools, colleges, or universities that you could attend.A financial plan to pay for your education. Do you have any money saved up? Willyou be eligible for any scholarships? If you are in high school, make sure your planincludes a calendar of scholarship application deadlines. Also, if you are a senior, be sureto complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any school- orcollege-specific financial aid applications.Identify your goals and prioritiesOutline your missionYou don't have to be a superhero or social activist to have a mission. It just means you have anidea of what you want out of life. Fortunately, this is the time in your life when you get to takethe lead; you get to decide what you want out of it. Knowing who you are and what you want canhelp set you in the right direction, and the earlier you start thinking about your life mission, theeasier it is to make the appropriate decisions and plans to reach it.So how do you go about developing a life mission? It's not as scary as it sounds. Choose your values. Your values are what you hold near and dear. They can beprinciples, standards, or beliefs that you find most worthwhile. You probably alreadyhave a core set of beliefs that guide you. Think about what is most important to you.Analyze your values, interests, and skills. Are there things that have influenced yourthinking and behavior? Think about what you enjoy and what you're good at. What aboutthe skills you've learned from full- or part-time jobs, volunteer experiences, or school andsocial activities. There could be a connection between your activities and skills and yourvalues. Will any of these skills help you get where want to go?Set realistic goals. To make your dream future your reality, set some reasonable, shortand long-term goals for yourself based on your top values. You're more likely to getwhere you want to go if you set a goal and commit yourself to it. To increase yourchances of success even further:o Choose some logical steps toward your goal.o Take each step and fill out the details. Include the what, when, where, and howfor each step.o Now it's time for action. Do your plan.o Keep your plan close by, so you can see how each action step is working andmake improvements to the plan as you go.Do some research. Think about your dream job, and learn more about it. Find out howother people in that field developed the career you want. Do a job shadow. Go to workwith someone to find out what kind of training, education, and skills are required? Whatare the real-life work conditions, the work environment, and the work schedule? What areA service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 2 of 11
the likely rewards-- salary, fringe benefits, room to grow, retirement plans? Are theserewards important to you? Would other rewards be more important to you?Based on the work you've just done, define your life mission and start living it with everydecision you make. Soon you'll be able to look back and see how far you've come.Establish your prioritiesOnce you know your mission, be brutally honest with yourself: Are the activities that take upmost of your time really moving you towards your goals. If not, it is time to set some prioritiesthat support your goals, and make sure they get your time and attention.Time is a precious commodity; basically, you use it or lose it. The good news is that we all havethe same amount of time every day, so use it to your advantage. Since there will always be plentyof diversions to distract you from your goals, practice staying in the driver's seat when it comesto time management. Remember putting off for tomorrow the things you can do today isprocrastination. Procrastination is wasted energy.Here are some time management tools that can bring a sigh of relief to your busy college life. Use task lists and a calendar to manage school, family, and social responsibilities.You have enough important facts and figures to remember right now without committingyour ongoing calendar to memory. Use a time management tool to coordinate all of yourdaily, weekly, monthly tasks, obligations, social events, tests --and anything that isimportant for you to do.Understand the difference between important and urgent. Important tasks must bedone; urgent tasks must be done NOW. Some things can be taken care of tomorrow, laterthis week, or next week. Really!Work with your natural rhythm, not against it. Everyone has specific periods of peakproductivity, so capitalize on your best time of day. If you're a morning person, plan totackle the most difficult tasks before lunch. Likewise, if you're a night owl, don't forceyourself to study or work on complicated projects until late afternoon or evening.Accept that you just can't do everything. Don't be a popularity addict. It may feel goodin the moment to be "in demand," but wouldn't it feel even better to achieve the life youreally want? Limit your commitments by choosing activities that you enjoy and areconsistent with your goals. Practice saying no without feeling guilty; the mastery of thetactful decline is a skill that will come in handy throughout your life!Take care of yourself by paying attention to your physical, emotional, and financialhealth. The same rules still apply: eat well, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, andbuild time into your schedule for relaxation. Take proper care of your body and it willtake care of you. Remember that stress, although it can't be seen, can cause a lot ofdamage - don't overtax your emotions with too many commitments. Also, pay attention toyour financial health as well. Be realistic about your money, create a realistic budget andstick to it. Using a spending plan to control your finances can actually feel great-- it'sempowering. Develop that muscle of determined discipline, and watch how it drives youtowards your goals.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 3 of 11
Prepare academically for collegeIt's not too early for college preparation. If you're in high school, enroll in the right classes,practice good study habits, and work on your writing skills.Take the right classes during high schoolWhat are the right classes in high school? The courses required for college vary. Contact yourguidance counselor to learn more, and check out these sites: ACT, Inc. recommendations (www.actstudent.org/college/plancourses.html)The College Board (SAT) recommendations for)It's also a good idea to choose more challenging classes so you can get a better idea of whatcollege courses may be like. Colleges want students with a well-rounded education. Takechallenging classes to get a better idea of what college courses may be like.Practice good study habitsYou may not know if your study habits are up to par with college courses. Start now. Practicegood study habits, so when you're in college, you'll already have some effective tools under yourbelt.Tips to improve your study skills: Stay organized by making a "To Do" list. Stick to it.Set goals for yourself.Prioritize! A test tomorrow is more important than an assignment due next week.Take good notes, and then be sure to review them carefully later.Experiment a little. Where and when do you work best? Alone or in a group, bright ordim lighting, quiet or noisy? Then study that way!Improve your writing skillsEffective writing conveys your thoughts into words. It's a skill you use throughout your life, andno matter what career you pursue, the ability to communicate in writing will help you succeed.Quick tips for effective writing: Think about your audience. For example, you would use a different tone in an essay thanyou would in a message to a friend.Plan ahead. List important points in the order you wish to make them.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 4 of 11
Use a strong opening sentence to catch the reader's attention.Be clear and to the point. Delete unnecessary words and information.Read through your writing for spelling errors and typos. Spell check programs don't catcheverything!Prepare financially for collegeSavingsIt's never too late to start saving for college, but the earlier you start, the better. You'll thankyourself for it later, when every dollar you save now reduces your student loan debt aftergraduation. You probably can set aside a specific amount every pay period to build a collegefund- but it takes some good planning and self control.The cost of collegeCollege expenses vary depending on the type of college (public or private, in-state or out-ofstate), the number of courses, your major, and personal lifestyle. Costs can include tuition andfees, room and board, allowance for books, supplies, transportation, and other expenses. Fees added on to your tuition bill include services such as the health center, library, andstudent activities.Room and board costs can be for on-campus or off-campus housing. It can include mealsat the college cafeteria, at a restaurant, or prepared on your own. In off-campusapartments, students can often pay to have meals in the college cafeteria. Living at homeand commuting to campus is usually the least expensive option (though you need toconsider the cost of fuel, parking, or public transportation).You also will need to buy textbooks, supplies, calculators, etc. -- whatever you need tocomplete your courses. You also may need to purchase a computer. (Don't forget theexpense of necessary software and applications.)Personal expenses can include laundry, clothing, recreation, medical care, insurance, etc.If you plan to travel home often, don't forget to add any transportation expenses.Other expenses to consider: Utilities (gas and electric) if you're living off campusPhone bills (yes, that includes your cell phone)Furniture/beddingCar paymentsCar licensing feesToiletries/personal care itemsClothing (including cleaning costs)Doctor/dentist visitsInsurance (car, medical, and life)EntertainmentGym membershipsA service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 5 of 11
Internet access and cable TVEmergency fundsUse the budget calculator (mappingyourfuture.org/money/budgetcalculator.htm) to helpdetermine your income and expenses.Financial aidYes, college can be expensive, but costs vary and financial aid can make even an expensivecollege affordable. There are three main types of financial assistance available to qualifiedstudents: Grants and scholarships (mappingyourfuture.org/paying/scholarships.htm), m), and htm). Financial aid can come from federal, state,local, and private sources. Most "free" aid (grants or scholarships) are distributed on a first-come,first-serve basis; so apply early.Remember: During your senior year of high school and every year during college, complete allnecessary financial aid forms, including the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid;mappingyourfuture.org/paying/fafsa.htm). Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible afterJanuary 1 and prior to the start of each college academic year.Manage your timeStarting college, working, and keeping up with your social life can seem overwhelming. You canlearn to handle it, though. Gather a few simple tools, a portable file box, colored file folders,envelope files, and a "month-at-a-glance" calendar. Then check out the following six steps. Just15 minutes a day will at least get you on your way.1. Get a box and start a filing system. You want a way to get that document out of the wayfor now, but quickly in your hands later. Forget the frustrations and frantic moments of amessy desk and hard-to-find "important" papers; file it away. Keep a supply of filefolders, envelopes, and stamps in the front of the box.2. Color code your files for your different activities. For example, keep all your high schooldocuments and information about extracurricular activities in yellow folders. Use bluefolders for financial aid papers (FAFSA, loan applications/promissory notes, awardletters, etc.). How about red for important bills? (You don't want to miss a car payment orpaying your cell phone bill.) Once you've paid a bill, move it to an envelope folder forthat month. You also can file receipts for cash purchases in that month's file; that wayyou can track your purchases, and you have a head start when it's time for paying yourtaxes or completing the FAFSA!3. Prioritize: Put first things first. Use your calendar to keep track of deadlines, workschedule, dates bills are due, and other important activities. If you use an electroniccalendar, you might want to print it in a monthly format. Meeting deadlines forapplications and other activities becomes increasingly important in college. They canreally make you or break you, so find a way to keep track of them.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 6 of 11
4. Keep lists. Know that you have everything you need and you have completed all yourtasks by getting it down on paper. Bonus: Later you can smile with pride as you look overthe list of all the things you've accomplished. Now that's motivation enough to makeanother list!5. Schedule time for studying AND time for relaxing. Know what you need for optimumperformance, and adjust your schedule accordingly.6. Finally, know the time of day when you have the most energy. Tackle your mostdemanding assignments and tasks at that time. If you don't have the time or energy tocomplete a task today, instead of putting it off until tomorrow, do a piece of it today. Youmay never have a block of time big enough to finish the whole thing in one sitting!Balancing your lifeIt's too bad we can't do everything. Even with positive, new opportunities, there is addedresponsibility and time commitments. Don't weigh yourself down with too much to do. Berealistic. You may decide it's best to at least delay participation for now.Tips for balancing: Remember why you're here--to get an education. Make anything that will help you withthis goal a priority.Have you scheduled at least a couple of hours for studying every day? You may needmore than two hours if you are taking particularly tough classes, though you may be ableto get by on less study time and do okay. Decide how much time you need for everycourse, and schedule it on your calendar.If you have activities that keep you busy every night, you may have too much going on inyour life. Plan your social activities for the weekend and your days off. Remember,adequate rest is needed to enjoy college and benefit from the experience--not to mention,stay awake in class.An internship is a great opportunity to get real-world experience. Before you jump at theopportunity, though, realistically consider the hours (including any travel time to theworkplace) and how that will impact your time to study and other activities. If yourschedule is busy already, maybe a summer internship would work better.Practice good money managementWhile the idea of money management may seem difficult, it's really not. It's like any other skill -you just learn it. No matter the amount, you can start practicing now. Then when you have moreof it, you'll already have good money management habits in place.You could live day to day, allowing the demands of the present to swallow up your money andtime, or you could try something different. Money can be a tool. Manage it correctly and it canreduce the stress in your life. As you plan for the expected, and the unexpected, expenses don'thave to be scary obstacles.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 7 of 11
Here are a few simple rules that can help you live within your means and manage debt so itdoesn't manage you: Establish yourself financially (mappingyourfuture.org/money/establish.htm; you can takea simple test that will tell you if your financial situation is getting out of control.)Balance your checkbook (mappingyourfuture.org/money/checkbook.htm; even if youdon't write checks often or ever, you should reconcile your records to the banks). Keeptrack of the ATM debit withdrawals you make on your account.Keep your "wants" under control by establishing a budget(mappingyourfuture.org/money/budget.htm) and sticking to it.Use your credit cards wisely.Learn more about managing your money at mappingyourfuture.org/Money/.Ask for adviceHaving trouble with a class? Having second thoughts about your major? Having problems withyour roommate? Sympathetic advice from your best friend or your grandparents may be helpful,but sometimes advice from an expert can help solve the problem.Administrators at your school want to see you succeed in college and have the knowledge toshow you how to do it. Probably the best place to start is with your own Resident Advisor (orRA). If your RA isn't sure who to contact, then call your Academic Advisor. These two peopleon campus can assist with almost any question or problem you may encounter while attendingschool.Major course of study1. Academic Advisor: Your academic advisor may be able to offer the followingsuggestions:o Classes that may not be as strenuouso Recommendations of a professor whose personality may be a better match for youo Plan your classes for next yearo Help schedule for a job with your academic scheduleCan't remember who your advisor is? Don't worry: go to your Academic Dean or theDepartment Chair for your major to find out.2. Career Planning Center: Explore your career options. Stop by the career planningoffice. People there will be able to share information about opportunities for graduateswith your major, offer some suggestions for majors that might suit you better, and discusscareers options for various majors.A service provided by Mapping Your Future, Inc.September 26, 2013; Page 8 of 11
Housing1. Resident Advisor (RA): Having roommate trouble? Is your dorm too n
Success in College Guide Since college is an investment of time and money, you don't want to waste either one by failing to graduate. You CAN be a successful college student. Learn how to make the most of college by following these steps: 1. Develop a college plan. 2. Identify your goals and priorities. 3. Prepare academically for college. 4.
concept mapping has been developed to address these limitations of mind mapping. 3.2 Concept Mapping Concept mapping is often confused with mind mapping (Ahlberg, 1993, 2004; Slotte & Lonka, 1999). However, unlike mind mapping, concept mapping is more structured, and less pictorial in nature.
Argument mapping is different from mind mapping and concept mapping (Figure 1). As Davies described, while mind mapping is based on the associative connections among images and topics and concept mapping is concerned about the interrelationships among concepts, argument mapping “ is interested in the inferential basis for a claim
Mapping is one of the basic elements in Informatica code. A mapping with out business rules are know as Flat mappings. To understand the basics of Mapping in Informatica, let us create a Mapping that inserts data from source into the target. Create Mapping in Informatica. To create Mapping in Informatica, open Informatica PowerCenter Designer .
Mapping Analyst for Excel includes mapping specifications and metamaps. Mapping Specifications A mapping specification is a Microsoft Excel file that includes metadata to import into the PowerCenter repository. Use a mapping specification to define sources or targets or to define a mapping by describing the
Mind mapping Mind mapping (or ‘‘idea’’ mapping) has been defined as ‘visual, non-linear representations of ideas and their relationships’ (Biktimirov and Nilson 2006). Mind maps comprise a network of connected and related concepts. However, in mind mapping, any idea can be connected to
i. Definition of Utility Mapping. ii. History of Utility Mapping. iii. Objectives of Utility Survey & Mapping in Malaysia. iv. The scope of Utility Mapping in standard guidelines for underground utility mapping. v. The role of utility owner, surveyor and JUPEM in underground utility mapping. 1 UNDERSTAND THE UTILITY QUALITY LEVEL ATTRIBUTES i.
What is Asset Mapping? Other Names and Types: Participatory Asset Mapping Community Mapping What is it? Asset Mapping –general process of identifying and providing information about a community’s resources Participatory Mapping –process of creating a display of resources that make up a
The Current State Mapping - The goal of current state mapping is to create the clear picture of the existing process and to identify waste. Mapping the current state reveals both value and non-value adding activities. The Future State Mapping - The focus of future state mapping
